The Adventures of Daniel James: California Christmas pt. 1

Finally the day I had been waiting for since Alisha left from her weekend visit to Wyoming. It was Dec 16th and I was finally on my way to California for my 2 week Christmas break. The day started of quite painfully really I had got 4 new tattoos the night before and I had forgotten how much they hurt the next day. It was a real early morning in Casper the sun wasn't even up but It was the only time I could get a lift to Denver so up at 4 30 it was after leaving the tattoo parlour at 12 30. a quick 4 hour drive and I was at the Denver airport after a few hours to hang around it was time to get on my flight to San Diego.

Getting of the plane in SD I was so happy it was only minutes until I would be reunited with Alisha and as soon as I walked out the doors I could smell the ocean air which I had been missing so much. It's amazing how I can actually really notice the change in air from Casper to San Diego, it has so much more oxygen. After Alisha picked me up it was up to the beach house to drop of my bags and pick up Trevor. then it was onto Costco to pick up supplies and then Chipotle for dinner. Trevor suggested I have a double wrapped Chicken Casuritto (I think that's how you spell it) it was as mind blowing as advertised.

The weekend was spent mainly just hanging around the beach house with Trev and the puppies Faith and Kodi (these two have to be the most gorgeous golden retrievers I have ever seen) as Alisha had work during the days. Sunday morning I got to go check out Alisha's home church, which is basically as castle. It's massive and awesome. I don't think she liked that I called it a castle and kept telling me it wasn't a super church but it was definitely castle like. Sunday night we packed back up and drove up to the Canyon Lake house, It was my first time there and it was so nice Canyon Lake is how I always pictured a typical American suburbia. The Heglund house was so nice as well, felt very homey inside.

The next morning it was up early as Alisha had the day off from work so we were going to one of my favourite places in the world DISNEYLAND!!!!! I was so excited I had gone earlier in the year with some of my AAU team mates and it was amazing so I was even more pumped to be going with Alisha it's just one of those places you want to be there with a partner especially for the fire works. So after getting ready and putting some breakfast in us we got on the road. Anaheim was about an hour away. we got there just before noon and enjoyed a fun filled day. Got on numerous rides, strolled around the park, had photos with Santa, ate churros, got a nice dinner at rain forest cafe in Downtown Disney, went back for the fire works, ate some more churros. Then before we left we went over and watched the world of colour water show which was amazing. We then headed on home and were pretty much passed out straight away.

Pre Disneyland pic

California Adventure Park

Castle :)

Most of my first week was spent hanging out with Trev and the Pups which was a lot of fun, we got some shots up down at the park and also got to play a bit of pick up at LA Fitness which was fun played against some interesting and bitchy....well mostly just bitchy characters that could comprehend how I would get to the basket in two steps from the 3 so they kept trying to call travel. I think they forgot that they were 5'8 and I was 6'9.

Some other highlights of the week was when we went back to the beach house for one night Alisha, Trev and myself went out to Bj's Restaurant and it was amazing I decided to go with the 5 meat pizza and I didn't realize how much meat would be on it, It was the most carnivorous meal I have ever consumed. Trevor and I also drove along the beach and gave some runners a but of encouragement using the wolf whistle on his cars PA system, It was just our way of making the world a better place.

It was Christmas Eve Eve and the Heglunds had decided to take me down to Riverside to check out the Mission Inn which is this old school Latino style inn which is just decked out to the max with Christmas lights and decorations. It was gorgeous to see!

Christmas Eve was great, It was Alisha's last day at work and she got off early! Christmas Eve in Cali was actually Christmas day back home so I was able to skype my whole family and wish the all a merry Christmas it was great to see them all at one time. That night it was off to church to celebrate the birth of our Saviour with the Heglunds church family. Then that night it was time to enjoy a Heglund Christmas tradition tamales, I had been told of this legendary meal even before I started dating Alisha, and Trev was more pumped each day so there was about as much hype about this meal as there was hype about Lebron moving to Miami. Unlike Lebrons horrible final series for the Heat, this meal was everything that was promised it was a delicious way to get ready for Christmas day.

Pre Church pic, because we like to be pretty for Jesus

Then came Christmas! This had to be my favourite day of my trip not just because of who I was with, but more so what Christmas is about. This is the day I get to celebrate the birth of my/our Saviour. The day I get to do my best to mimic his love and give gifts to those I love. Of course my gift could never be as great as his, I mean it's kind of hard to beat dieing for the world to save us from sin and give us the opportunity for eternal life but I did my best. I had been so pumped for this morning for so long because I had bought Alisha's present in early October and had been waiting so long to give it to her. That gift was a promise ring and a very nice one if I don't say so myself. The look on her face was one I will always keep with me when she opened it, and Laura's face as well for a brief second I think she though I was proposing lol. I was so happy that she was so happy and I hope that is the way God feels for those who are truly happy about receiving his perfect gift. Apart from giving I also got some great gifts, Some really good books from Laura and Dale. Alisha and Trev (well It was mostly a gift from Alisha but Trev mostly made it) made me some string and nail art which was a map of Australia, I was blown away by how great and creative it was it now sits above my bed/man cave in my dorm. The rest of the day was spent with Alisha's extended family it was great to see everyone again and meet a couple of new faces. The food whipped up by Trevor, Laura and Dale was amazing. Everyone was more than full. After dinner it was time just to relax and watch T.V. in our food coma states. Oh and I also forgot to mention that NBA was on all day and my 3 Teams, Knicks, Clipper and Chicago all got the W's made my day a lot merrier.